Vista Nova Grants

Please note that this opportunity is by invitation only. Nonprofits not currently participating may contact PCF’s program department for more information.

Application Period: Opens mid-June
Status: Closed
Deadline: Late August
Grant Decisions: October
Grant Amounts: Awards range from $5,000 to $15,000.

To be eligible for funding, organizations must:

• Be located in or provide significant services within the Pasadena Unified School District boundaries (Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre).
• Be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) or (2)(b) (Private Foundations under 509(a) are not eligible).
• Generally, have at least two years of operational history with a record of effective service (fiscally sponsored programs may have different requirements).
• Have completed all previous PCF grants; organizations with an open or non-compliant grant are ineligible.
• Receive only one PCF grant per calendar year (e.g., Animal Welfare, Arts & Culture, Capital, Education, Senior or Vista Nova). Visit PCF’s Grants Calendar for more details.
• Adhere to the Non-Discrimination Policy outlined below

PCF does not make grants from discretionary funds to organizations that discriminate based on:

• Actual or perceived rage, age, color
• Gender identity, marital or parental status
• Military service, national origin
• Physical or mental ability
• Political affiliation, sexual orientation, or religion

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Individuals or households
• Private schools
• Organizations with open or non-compliant PCF grants
• Activities intended to influence legislation or elections
• Individual public schools or their support groups (e.g., PTA/PTO, booster clubs); PCF supports PUSD schools only through the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF)
• Sectarian religious organizations or churches for religious purposes (community service programs may be considered if open to all and meet other criteria)
• Agencies not directly performing services aligned with PCF’s mission (no regranting)
• Building improvements on leased property (exceptions may be made for public entities or long-term leases at the board’s discretion)

• Reporting requirements must be met to remain eligible for future PCF grants.
• Agencies must also comply with PCF’s Grand Recognition Guidelines (see below).
• Specific reporting deadlines and formats will be provided upon grant award.

Recognizing your grant helps honor the donors who make PCF’s work possible and encourages future community support. PCF actively promotes its grants and supports grantees in doing the same.

Grantee Responsibilities:

• Acknowledge the Grant in newsletters, press releases, and other communications.
• Required Language: “This project was funded [or funded in part] by a grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation.”
• Naming Convention: Use “Pasadena Community Foundation” on first reference; “PCF” may be used thereafter
• Logo Usage: Use the provided “Grantee Organization” logo or standard PCF logo with written acknowledgement
  • PCF Logo
  • PCF Transparent Logo
• Shared Coverage: Send copies of any media or press coverage mentioning the PCF grant to the foundation – media@pasadenacf.org

Communication & Resources:

• Acknowledgement Letters: Mail to the program manager or email to Grants@Pasadenacf.Org
• Foundation Description: Founded in 1953, the Pasadena Community Foundation promotes local philanthropy, with a mission to inspire generosity and engage the resources of our community for present needs unfulfilled and future needs unforeseen. The Foundation helps donors maximize the impact of their charitable contributions – strengthening the community, preserving cultural resources, and assisting those in need.”